Smolny Proposes to Increase Fines for Unpaid Parking

The government of Saint Petersburg has initiated a proposal to increase administrative fines for unpaid parking in paid zones. The penalty amount is proposed to be raised to five thousand rubles (approx. $56) to ensure proportionality and fairness.

The transport committee explained that the current fine of three thousand rubles (approx. $33) in some cases is lower than the fee for using a parking spot. For example:

• At a rate of 360 rubles per hour, parking for more than 8.5 hours becomes cheaper than the fine;
• At a rate of 280 rubles per hour — more than 10.8 hours.

For cargo transport, the violation pays off even faster. In this regard, it is proposed to differentiate fines: for citizens and individual entrepreneurs — 5,000 rubles (approx. $56), for legal entities — 30,000 rubles (approx. $333). Currently, such gradation is absent.

The toughening of the penalty is intended to have a preventive effect on motorists. «The excess of the cost of placing vehicles in paid parking over the amount of administrative fines ceases to be an effective means of preventing new offenses, ensuring the efficient functioning of transport infrastructure, protecting the interests of conscientious users of paid parking, as well as public interests in the proper organization of traffic and safety,» stated the committee.

Moreover, it is planned to bring the article of the Code of Administrative Offenses into line with the general law enforcement practice, according to which legal entities bear stricter responsibility. A similar approach is applied, for example, for storing a disassembled vehicle or non-payment of toll road usage.

The bill, developed by the city administration, is currently undergoing coordination stages.

Parallel to toughening sanctions for violators, the possibility of easing rules for conscientious drivers is being considered. They may be allowed within a calendar day to make corrections to payment data, change the time, car number, or parking zone in case of inattention or internet connection failure.